Bittinger Receives Frostburg State University President’s Distinguished Staff Award

Sep 17, 2025 8:00 AM

Dr. Sara-Beth Bittinger, associate vice president for Academic Operations and Fiscal Affairs at Frostburg State University, is the 2025 recipient of the President’s Distinguished Staff Award which recognizes a staff member who has provided exceptional service to the University and has helped to advance its mission, goals and priorities.

“Sara-Beth’s unwavering dedication and commitment to serving FSU exemplifies the very best of our values,” said FSU President Darlene Brannigan Smith, PhD. “This recognition is a testament to the profound impact she has made, and continues to make every day, and we are proud to have her on our team.”

Since joining the FSU ranks in 2012, she has held several leadership roles, including research analyst, director of Assessment and Institutional Research, interim director of Graduate Services and interim assistant vice president for Analytics.

This past academic year was one of transitions, and Bittinger provided continuity in the Office of the Provost. She also served as co-chair of the University’s Self-Study Steering Committee during FSU’s rigorous reaccreditation process with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. She manages Frostburg’s strategic enrollment management plan, is a co-chair of Bobcats Belong - a committee tasked with finding ways to improve a sense of belonging on campus - chair of the Student Learning Assessment Advisory Group, chair of the Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness Council, chair of Distance Education Advisory Group and chair of the Proposal Advisory Group. Bittinger is also responsible for multiple projects, including FSU’s academic catalog and calendar, articulation agreements and external curriculum proposals and is the project manager for Kuali Online Curriculum Management and Catalog tool.

“Over the past two and a half years, Dr. Bittinger has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, guiding FSU through the rigorous Middle States reaccreditation process with remarkable skill and professionalism,” said Dr. Sudhir Singh, Dean of FSU’s College of Business, Engineering, Computing & Analytics. “As a fellow co-chair of the Self-Study, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand her invaluable contributions.”

Additionally, The Daily Record named Bittinger one of the 2024 Top 100 Women in Maryland for her professional accomplishments, community involvement and leadership.

“I’ve truly never witnessed a more motivated ‘alpha’ personality in my life that can be relied upon to further our strategic goals and ensure regulatory compliance,” said Dr. Jeff Graham, senior associate vice president for Student Affairs. “Her institutional knowledge and wisdom are consistently sought after as we navigate the future of our academic enterprise and standing within the higher education marketplace.”